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23) Theft

As to the thief, male or female, cut off his or her hand: retribution for their deed and exemplary punishment from Allah, and Allah is exalted in power, full of Wisdom.” (5:38)

Ibn Shihab commented, “Allah severely punished whosoever steals people’s property by cutting off his / her hand. And He is Almighty in retribution and full of wisdom in dispensing the penalty he has prescribed for thieves.

The Prophet said,

“When an adulterer commits illegal sexual intercourse, then he is not a believer at the time he is doing it, and when somebody drinks an alcoholic drink, then he is not a believer at the time of drinking it, and when a thief steals, he is not a believer at the time he is stealing. The door of repentance is usually open “.

Ibn ‘Umar narrated, “Allah’s apostle cut off the hand of a thief for stealing a shield that was worth three dirhams.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

‘Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated, “The hand should be cut off for stealing something that is worth a quarter of a dinar or more.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

The Prophet said,

“The hand of a thief was not cut off except for stealing something equal to a shield in value.” It was said, “Aishah: How much is shield worth?’ She answered: “A quarter of a Dinar.” (Bukhari)

According to another narration the Prophet said, “Cut off (hands and feet) for stealing what is worth a quarter of a Dinar, but not less”.

A quarter of a dinar, by then, was worth three “Dirhams.”

Abu Hurairah narrated the Prophet as saying,

“Allah curses the thief who steals a “Baidhah” (or a helmet) for which his hand is to be cut off, or steals a rope for which his hand is to be cut off.” (Bukhari)

Al-‘ Amash commented, “People used to interpret “Baidhah” as an iron helmet, and they used to think that the rope may cost a few dirhams.

Aishah quoted,

“A woman from Banu Makhzum used to borrow things and never give them back. Consequently, the Prophet passed an order to get her hand cut off.” (Bukhari)

“The woman’s people came to Usama Ibn Zaid to intercede with the Prophet that he may pardon her. When Usamah spoke to Allah’s apostle about that matter, Allah’s apostle said, “Do you intercede (with me) to violate one of the legal penalties of Allah?” Then he got up and addressed the people, saying, “O people! The nations before you went astray because if a noble person committed theft, they used to leave him, but if a weak person among them committed theft; they used to inflict the legal penalties on him. By Allah, if Fatimah, the daughter of Muhammad committed theft, Muhammad would have cut off her hand!” (Bukhari)

Abdul-Rahman Ibn Muhayriz asked Fudhalah Ibn Ubaid whether hanging the thiefs amputated hand to his neck is of the tradition of the Prophet. He said.

“A thief was summoned before the Prophet who gave an order to cut off his hand and tie it to his neck.” (Tirmidhi)

The Muslim Jurists viewed that a thiefs’ repentance is not valid unless he gives back what he has robbed. In case he is bankrupt, he should ask the real owner of the stolen thing to pardon him.

23) Theft

Allah says,

As to the thief, male or female, cut off his or her hand: retribution for their deed and exemplary punishment from Allah, and Allah is exalted in power, full of Wisdom.” (5:38)

Ibn Shihab commented, “Allah severely punished whosoever steals people’s property by cutting off his / her hand. And He is Almighty in retribution and full of wisdom in dispensing the penalty he has prescribed for thieves.

The Prophet said,

“When an adulterer commits illegal sexual intercourse, then he is not a believer at the time he is doing it, and when somebody drinks an alcoholic drink, then he is not a believer at the time of drinking it, and when a thief steals, he is not a believer at the time he is stealing. The door of repentance is usually open “.

Ibn ‘Umar narrated, “Allah’s apostle cut off the hand of a thief for stealing a shield that was worth three dirhams.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

‘Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated, “The hand should be cut off for stealing something that is worth a quarter of a dinar or more.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

The Prophet said,

“The hand of a thief was not cut off except for stealing something equal to a shield in value.” It was said, “Aishah: How much is shield worth?’ She answered: “A quarter of a Dinar.” (Bukhari)

According to another narration the Prophet said, “Cut off (hands and feet) for stealing what is worth a quarter of a Dinar, but not less”.

A quarter of a dinar, by then, was worth three “Dirhams.”

Abu Hurairah narrated the Prophet as saying,

“Allah curses the thief who steals a “Baidhah” (or a helmet) for which his hand is to be cut off, or steals a rope for which his hand is to be cut off.” (Bukhari)

Al-‘ Amash commented, “People used to interpret “Baidhah” as an iron helmet, and they used to think that the rope may cost a few dirhams.

Aishah quoted,

“A woman from Banu Makhzum used to borrow things and never give them back. Consequently, the Prophet passed an order to get her hand cut off.” (Bukhari)

“The woman’s people came to Usama Ibn Zaid to intercede with the Prophet that he may pardon her. When Usamah spoke to Allah’s apostle about that matter, Allah’s apostle said, “Do you intercede (with me) to violate one of the legal penalties of Allah?” Then he got up and addressed the people, saying, “O people! The nations before you went astray because if a noble person committed theft, they used to leave him, but if a weak person among them committed theft; they used to inflict the legal penalties on him. By Allah, if Fatimah, the daughter of Muhammad committed theft, Muhammad would have cut off her hand!” (Bukhari)

Abdul-Rahman Ibn Muhayriz asked Fudhalah Ibn Ubaid whether hanging the thiefs amputated hand to his neck is of the tradition of the Prophet. He said.

“A thief was summoned before the Prophet who gave an order to cut off his hand and tie it to his neck.” (Tirmidhi)

The Muslim Jurists viewed that a thiefs’ repentance is not valid unless he gives back what he has robbed. In case he is bankrupt, he should ask the real owner of the stolen thing to pardon him.